Molding apparatus



May 18, 1943 I s. FLAM 2,319,313

MOLDING APPARATUS I 1 Filed March 8, 1938 s Sheets-Sheet 1 :Hv ENTOR S ephen Ham 7 B 1 v ATTORNEY May 18, 1943 's. FLAM MOLDING APPARATUS Filed March 8, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR sephn l BY 'ZL/ ATTORNEY operate with less wasted time. p

acts rapidly and effectively.

Patented May 18, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT oF icE MOLDING APPARATUS I Stephen Flam, Sherman Oaks, Calif. Application March s, 193s, Serial'No. 194,627

that no material portion of time is wasted by any men. while waiting for others to catch up and also to ensure that substantially full time or continuous useis required of all parts of the equipment, such as the concrete mixer and the mold vibrator. r It is one or the objects or this inventionto make it possible to; coordinate the apparatus and the men employed'in such manner thatthey In order to accomplish these results, use is made of a mold support that is arrangedjtoposition 'anempty mold adjacent a filling or casting station, and subsequently to position stripping station. r e I It is another objector this invention to make it possible to effect the casting and stripping it toa It is still another object of this invention to make it possible to cast blocks in a mold while simultaneously another mold 'is being stripped.

It is still another object of thlsdnvention to provide a novel mold structure, andespecially adapted to facilitate stripping.

It is a still further objectof this invention to provide a mold structure with which it is possible to cast blocks or difierent thicknesses. I

This invention possesses many'other advantages, and has other objectswhich' maybe made more easily apparent from a consideration of one embodiment of the'zii'iven'tion. For this purpose there is shown a form in the drawings accom panying and forming part of the presentspec i fication. 'This form will now be described in detail, illustratingthe general "principles of the invention; but it is be understood'that this detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of this invention is'best defined by the appended claims. 1 v

Referring to thedrawing's: I A Figure 1 is afront elevation of the machine as seen on plane l-l of Fig. 3;

I 2 is an enlarged cross section as seen on plane 2-2 of Fig. 1;

- Fig; 3 n plan view of the machin';

, Fig. 4is a cross section as seen on plane [-4 of Fig. l, certain parts of the'mechanism being in positions corresponding to a different stepin the operation of the machine;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view, similar to Fig. 2, showing the alternative position of the hopper; Fig. 6 is an enlarged'detail section, as seen on plane65ofFig.1;

Figs. 7 and 8 are detail sections as seen on correspondingly numbered planes of Fig. 6;

Fig; 9 is an isometric viewot the blockleveller; Fig. 10 is a longitudinal sectionof the mold, taken on a central plane;

Fig. 11 is a horizontal section taken along plane Il-ll of Fig. 10; and

Figs. 12 and '13 are isometric detail views of certain parts of the mold."

In'the drawings, the mold, structures l5 and l6 (Figs. 1 and 3) are shown as providing mold spaces for the molding of one or more blocks,

bricks, slabs, or tiles from plastic'inaterial, such as concrete or cement of appropriate proportions. These molds are supported respectively at theoppositeends of a substantially horizontal irame' or double ended yoke l1 (Fig. 3), which is supported so as to be revoluble about a. central vertical axis l8. Thus a revolution of the frame. through an angle of'180 will causefan inter change in the position of the molds i5, I6. By the provision of suitable charging and stripping "apparatus this feature enables the provision of a machinein which the filling of one m'old'and "stripping of the other mold may'pro'ceed 'simuL.

taneously.

- At the left hand side of the machine as seen in' Figs. 1 and 3 and associatedwith mold I5,

there is a hopper 20 for filling the molds while they are in the position of mold I5. At the right hand side, the mechanism 2| (Fig; 1) is provided for stripping the formed material, such as blocks, bricks, slabs or tiles, from the other mold I 6 onto a suitable receiving table or pallet 22. 33y 'pro viding two operators, one stationed adjacent thehopper 20, and the other adjacent the stripping mechanism 2|, mold l5 can be filled at the same time as the formed blocks, previously molded, are being stripped from mold l6. When these operations are completed, frame I! is revolved through 180?, bringing mold IS in position to be filled and mold 15 in position to be stripped. After the operations of filling mold l6 and of emptying mold I5 are completed, the

frame is again turned through half a revolution and the filling and stripping operations are repeated.

It is possible to operate the machine with only one mold, in which case the frame I! does not necessarily have to be turned through a half revolution between the filling and stripping operations, but may turn through a lesser angle, the stripping mechanism 21 and receiving mechanism 22 being appropriately placed.

Frame i'l includes a pair of substantially parallel horizontal members or sides 25 and 23 (Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4) secured to a center tube or pipe 21 by means of diagonal braces 28 and cross pieces 29. These braces 29 converge from the sides 25, 25, onto the tubular support or pipe 21. This pipe closely surrounds a fixed column 30, which may conveniently be another pipe of suitable size to telescope within pipe 21, and which is fixed in any convenient way to the foundation of the machine. Pipe 30 thus forms a vertical pivot for frame IT.

A split collar 3| is clamped in position on pipe 30 near its lower end by means of bolts 45, and

serves to support pipe 21, which is rotatable about pipe 30. Thus, the entire frame I] is rotatably supported by the stationary pipe 30, and its vertical position may be varied by shifting collar 3|. In this way, the required height of the molds l5 and I6 for proper operation may be readily accomplished.

In order to holdframe l1 against undesired rotation, as well as to position it when stationary so as to support the molds in the desired relationship to the rest of the machine, a latch 32 is provided which cooperates with cross members 29, best shown in Figs. 1, 3, 6, 7 and 8. Latch 32 comprises a U-shaped member having legs 33 embracing the central pipe 21 and pivotally supported on pipe 30 by lugs 34 secured to opposite sides of a collar 35. This collar is adjustably secured to column 30 adjacent the upper end of pipe 21 in any convenient way, as by being clamped about it. Thus it may be raised or lowered to accommodate changes in the height of pipe 21 and frame l1. Each of lugs 31 terminates at its lower end in a narrow U-shaped portion 36, the opposite sides of which embrace one of legs 33 of latch 32. Shoulder studs 31 serve to pivotally secure the legs 33 in position. Since, as will presently appear, it is necessary that the latch 32 be free to move upward from the horizontal position shown, but that itbe prevented from falling below that position, the horizontal part 38 of lug 34 engages the lower edge of leg 33, as shown at 33 in Fig. 6. This keeps the latch from dropping below the position indicated. To permit it to be swung upward about its pivots, the back lower corners of legs 33 are ground of! or otherwise removed, as indicated at 40.

By referring to Fig. 7 it will be seen that the portion ll of latch connecting legs 33, has a central notch 42 to engage cross piece 29, the lower surface of portion 4| sloping upwardly from the notch to each leg, as indicated by 43. Gravity may be used to cause latch 32 to engage the cross piece 23. When it is desired to revolve the frame I1, latch 32 is lifted by means of handle 44, suillciently to free notch 42 from cross piece 23. When the frame has been turned sufficiently to prevent re-engaaement of the cross piece and the notch, the latch may be released, the lugs 34 maintaining it in a horizontal position as previously explained. As the cross piece 29 on the opposite side of the frame approaches the latch, its upper surface will engage one of the inclined surfaces 43, raising the latch until member 23 is below notch l2, when the latch will drop by gravity, causing the notch to engage the member and checking further movement of the frame II. By this means the frame will always be stopped with its ends correctly positioned.

For successful use of a machine 01' this type, a moldv from which the formed article may be easily stripped is required. Such a mold is disclosed herein, the details being shown in Figs. 10-13 inclusive. This mold is of the type having a movable bottom, and in which the entire mold is inverted and the bottom pushed downwardly I to strip the molded article.

Referring to Figs. 10 and 11, the mold includes a rectangular wall ill which may be conveniently formed of sheet metal. This rectangle may be appropriately divided by walls of the same or different material into spaces corresponding to the size of blocks desired, and these spaces may be provided with cores, if hollow blocks are wanted. As shown in this instance, the space within wall 50 is divided into halves by a transverse wall ll and each half is provided with two cores 52 (Fig. 13). The manner in which these cores are supported in the mold structure will be hereinafter described. This particular mold is capable of forming a pair of blocks or tile, each block having two cored spaces in it.

The upper edge of wall 50 is re-eniorced by a light angle iron 53 secured toit as by welding, and forming a top flange for the mold. Depending from each corner of wall 50 is a short piece of angle iron forming a leg 54, the legs at opposite ends of the mold being joined by angle irons 5!. A shoe or sled member 56 is removably secured to each angle iron as by countersunk bolts 51. The mold is supported by the aid of these shoes while being filled (see Figs. 1 and 2). Secured to walls 50 on the opposite sides of'the mold and adjacent the lower edge of the wall are angle irons 53. By referring toFigs. 10 and 13 it will be clear that a pair of the cores I2 are secured on flat strips 53, as by cap screws". These strips are then secured to angles 53, as by bolts 3| (Fig. 11)

The bottom of each half of the mold between walls 50 and II and cores 52 is closed by movable bottoms 84 (Fig. 12). These closely fit between the rectangular wall 50 and partition ll (Fig. 12) and are spaced apart as shown at to accommodate partition II. and openings 33 to accommodate cores 52. The bottom plates 34 are assembled on a pair 01' parallel channel irons 31, being secured to them by spacer bolts 33, these hziving countersunk heads in the bottom plates Q When the mold is to be filled, the bottom mold is supported on top of bars 59, as'shown in Fig. 10. 'VVhen the mold is to be strippe it is inverted and the bottom pressed downwardly until channeis 61 are stopped by bars 53, as shown in Pig. 4.

To assist the stripping operation the cores 52 may have a slight taper as indicated. The stripping action is also facilitated by the fact that no excess water is used in the mixture of cement or concrete. Thus the block I33 has sumcient rigidity to be self-supporting immediately after the molding operation.

By supporting bottoms Bl at different distances below the top of the mold, blocks of different thicknesses may be produced in the same i igfi i ported vtoprovideelea ance l4 betweentrunnion Mstrippingrthe finished block from t B' mOld must pnlied;with:the desired matieriahby :a chute 15 eading gfrom thew sourcelxof; supplyzt. .such:; .as:::a concretev mlXerrwHOpper: :is" supported -so that :its dischargeendisflushwithxthe tojalof the mold.

i Aalevellen 111- ('Eig;.f9)-',Whl(3h5 has the same insid'e -length-;,as the moldyais placed soet-hat'; :ther insidc edgeapproximatelyieoincidesiwithithe inside: edge of the mold (Figs. 2 and 3):..: To taeilitat'ez "r'o'per I positioning of: :the? levell'eri its.- 'sld'eismembers "curved-outwardly at; 18, hivhileithe -sides tthe ,hoppen areeurvedlinwardlyiatk'ls ,Lthe positions described; the miiied blocki'x'nate'rial uponmold supporting plates 83. By referring to Fig. 1, it will be noted that the sides of bearing I3 diverge upwardly. Thus, when the mold is supin?" P 1 9 fio't mold rte tij j er n-VJ h smell hopper-x, l5 (Figslf L I l'mffi' li i heb t m .Of t bear a d Ithb ewiHeIs i ebl nc be wqen e t u nion d'n'djthe 'sides'of the bearing, injsli'ringthat the t? n'mon is'treeiceme b eaIrmg ana that. no vibra- .j tioplwillbetransznitted betw 'n;tiiem. P1316583, s -e supported adjacent the free ends of nti1evei beams flljylhiehgare mfefei ahly of w uandsuppqrtedneer thei ot'hei' ends 8 1fl d ei wh h' Ma e Wb b te vzmeshan m i w-m be 1 i idv iAisharmi "rotate q nnpomd by l flattaloh' below the freeiends of beams ft, lifgzarries' eeeehtfie' wei hts, 88 which I I I inposition onitso estobe nggularly x11 mam; wlth; fespect to each "other; 1 A motor 49 otates. shift 86; at high speed j by means of pulley 89 0h,- shaftf86I (Fig.' '1 ),.:"The

the unsupported ends of beams,

I I 'apprriorm f"wesubjcu matter or ,Let rs? nt No 1,806,620'for Vibrator mechw I m ssued oi st epnen Flam onMay2 6, 1 931.

' pe'zfniitj' fi a x ne' |1 be? revolved aboutjits V lid '50- OVE t e fill imqld lfi' m, 1 6:" 11; I ting mold ,pl a,te'83',] the' hopper I15. must be ,pos'itio' I d. ,to 'a, lloW',fthe mold 'to passhnde i it. ,"O'ne'Way'in'whichthismay be aone'ris' to i ivotiipp rt vth'e hop'perf atia. suiteblehei'ght and p oyide imeehs to. raise and lower the forward ndf' 'Ihli's' theQljiODber' '15 is 'provided with ,pivots T9l aliid'f93 oniopposite s'idlas'. (Figs, 1, 2 d5) the 'fo inei j having w9.1bearingTsupliio r ted ve tloel I icolumnI 94, j the latter I hailing a I ingjsupported in bracket extending from I ol i nn 303" .Tog'kle mechanism 86 (Figs; Zand "ides he d bosition, mechanismfineludes a pef,.;end' a linkj 9.3 pi'Votglly connectedat one the ammy; 94;, The other ends of these s rgpiimedi ogether atfl99f and a. handle m I ided at this' point. Qhe offtheflinks, as 91 may have the: end Where the "links are eon- "ted' enlargedjandstoppins,llll and I02 are mounted therein. VWi th' the hopperflin its lowera positionK Fig. 2) the pin, 1M engages the 'Iuppu qe o: link 98, serving tosupportthe invthisposition. When itisdesiredto rais e t 81 931" to itsfother position, handle [Ollie moved ubwardlyto the leftv until it reaches the position 'jo f Eig.,j5 toggle is I over center in thispofsition, stop pm 102 engaging thelower Il'side of lini; QB Iend ,checkingjfnrther movement,

jvhereby the hopper s suppdrtedin this posi- Aslooihtd o fiii the ldesei'ibtion of the mold, .the, m'oldis inverted when the} molded blocks bestzfipped or removed from it. The mold To strip thejbloeks "from the meld, force f miist 'befexerted on channels 81 to force the bqttofn' Lot the mold, together with the blocks,

'7 downwardly. This force is necessary, because the. molded o blocksor tile, while yet, cling .with

,tenecitjr thewells of the mold and tothe cores. ,This adhesion is great. enough Jt'o permit an iii- ,yii'a'rsion'v o fl't he filled inolds without danger of include a xectangular frame Ill formed of a.

pair of spaced parallel arms I08 joined by vertibe, used to supportthehopper ineither 91 pivotally eonnected at onefend tothe 

